Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Yesterday I went to my local comic book store and asked for a title I’ve been meaning to read for a while now. And when I did, all the dudes behind the counter looked at each other a bit confusedly. After repeating the title two or three times, it was pretty clear that none of them had even heard of it. Also, they didn’t have it.

It was while walking out, a bit disappointed, that I realized: I had just crossed a subtle yet distinct line in the journey of my personal identity. Apparently, now I’m the guy who asks for comic books so obscure that even the stereotypically obsessed comic book store staff people haven’t even heard of them.

This may take some getting used to. If anyone wants me, I’ll probably be with Alex.

I just became a comics fan anew after a 10-year hiatus (if you must know, it was because of some friends I had that kept talking about how awesome Civil War was going to be until I succumbed to peer pressure.), and I am just so tickled that such a character as Matter Eater Lad was allowed to exist. And furthermore, that he was allowed to exist with a codename of the type that a sketch comedian would give him (Also, see The Elongated Man). These days, he'd have been given a name like ShadowGut, or The Savage Goat, or Hellthroat.

Anyway, I can't think the words "Mattet Eater Lad" without smiling, so thanks for making me smile.